What’s in your wallet?

Deborah Punshon

A new survey has revealed what most people carry around in their wallets - and the problems they can have with the contents.

As the launch of the new £5 polymer note approaches, a Nationwide poll shows how Brits suffer a range of problems when it comes to their cash.

More than a third (36 per cent) have ended up with wet banknotes after accidentally putting them through the washing machine, with a number resorting to attempting to dry them with a hairdryer.

More than a quarter (28 per cent) had lost notes as a result of pulling them out of a pocket unnoticed and a further quarter (24 per cent) admitted they had torn paper cash and had to repair it with tape.

A fifth (21 per cent) have had a machine, such as a parking meter, reject their note when trying to pay for something, while one in fourteen had received a counterfeit note in change.

Phil Smith, Nationwide’s head of current accounts said: “Nationwide issued 56,264,140 five pound notes from our cash machines in 2015 alone, in recognition of the real fondness Brits have for the fiver.

From the experiences our research has unearthed, the launch of the new polymer note could help counteract many awkward situations, where notes have been washed or torn by accident, as well as contributing to the ongoing battle against counterfeiting, and we look forward to dispensing many new fivers to our customers in the years to come.”

Other popular items to carry around in the wallet include loyalty cards, driving licences, receipts, stamps, travel cards and photographs.